Ever looked at a plain t-shirt and thought, “This needs more *me*?” Fabric painting is a fantastic way to transform boring clothes into wearable art. But when you start shopping, things get tricky fast. Which paints stick? Which ones crack after the first wash? You want vibrant colors that last, not a messy disaster that fades away.
Choosing the best paint for fabric can feel overwhelming. You worry about ruining your favorite denim or a special cushion cover. You need durability, easy application, and colors that truly pop. Finding the right product saves you time, money, and a lot of frustration later on.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will explore the top types of fabric paints available, explain what makes them different, and show you exactly how to pick the perfect match for your next project. Get ready to unlock your creativity without the guesswork. Let’s dive into making your fabric creations permanent and beautiful!
Top Paint For Fabric Recommendations
- 18 VIBRANT COLORS WITH STENCILS : Shuttle Art fabric paint set contains 18 colors soft fabric paint in bottles (60 ml/2 oz), 3 brushes, 1 palette and 18 patterns sticker stencils, perfect for various textile paintings and art crafts
- PERMANENT & WASHER SAFE : Easy to blend and cover, stay permanent and won’t crack or peel, durable enough to hold up extensive wear and repeated washes in the washing machine and dryer. Shuttle Art clothing paints are also ready to use, do not need extra textile medium or heating
- MULTIPLE PURPOSES : Premium textile paint with bright colors performs well on both light and deep color fabrics, applicable for both synthetic and natural fibers, ideal for T-shirts, jeans, bags, shoes, caps, pillowcases and other DIY projects and crafting
- NON-TOXIC & CERTIFICATED : Conforms to U.S. ASTM D-4236 & EN71-3, non-toxic and acid-free, safe and suitable for all ages
- SERVICE GUARANTEE : Your satisfaction is our top priority, please rest assured to purchase our products. If you are not satisfied with our products or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time
- 14 VIBRANT COLORS PLUS EXTRA WHITE: The Shuttle Art fabric paint set includes 14 vibrant soft fabric paints (12 ml/0.4 oz) in tubes, plus an additional white for extra versatility, along with 3 brushes. Perfect for various textile painting projects and art crafts
- PERMANENT & WASHER SAFE: Easy to blend and cover, stay permanent and won’t crack or peel. After 72 hours of drying, your fabric is safe for gentle machine washing without fading or peeling, and durable enough to withstand repeated washes and wear. Shuttle Art clothing paints are also ready to use, do not need extra textile medium or heating
- MULTIPLE PURPOSES: Premium textile paint with bright colors performs well on both light and deep color fabrics, applicable for both synthetic and natural fibers, ideal for T-shirts, jeans, bags, shoes, caps, pillowcases and other DIY projects and crafting
- NON-TOXIC & CERTIFICATED: Conforms to U.S. ASTM D-4236 & EN71-3, non-toxic and acid-free, safe and suitable for all ages
- SERVICE GUARANTEE: Your satisfaction is our top priority, please rest assured to purchase our products. If you are not satisfied with our products or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time
- 【Premium Acrylic Paints for Fabric】Colorful fabric paint set offers 12 rich colors of artist quality acrylic fabric medium. The creamy consistency and high pigments with designed rheology ensure easy blending and smooth application, covering large areas and fine details with great power. Quick-drying and vivid after curing, additional coats can be applied shortly for desired effects.
- 【Versatile Fabric Paint Set】 The set includes 12 artist quality acrylic fabric medium based colors that can be easily blended and offer great coverage for large areas and fine details. The paint dries quickly and stays vivid after curing, making it ideal for use on fabrics, textiles, shoes, paper, wood, and walls. Whether you're a beginner or a professional artist, this fabric paint set will unleash your creativity and bring your projects to life.
- 【No Heating Needed & Machine Washable Fabric Paint】 Our permanent fabric paints for clothing can be cured at ambient conditions with no heating required, thanks to its special formulation. The slick paint dries quickly and becomes waterproof once dry, making it machine washable. This makes our fabric paint set perfect for turning your decorated clothes into permanent craft art pieces and sweet memories.
- 【Certified Safe & Non-Toxic】 Colorful's non toxic fabric paint is a water-based, eco-friendly, non-toxic and odorless formula, certified safe for all ages. You can paint worry-free knowing that our textile paints are free of harmful chemicals. Even kids and hobby painters can use it safely. Our fabric decorating supplies are easy to clean up with soap and water, making it the perfect choice for art painting and creations.
- 【Convenient All-in-One Package】The Colorful fabric paint supplies kit includes 12 tubes (0.4oz) of common colors, The kit also comes with 6 brushes and 1 palette, all neatly packaged in an exquisite colored box with the COLORFUL brand. This all-in-one package is not only convenient for beginners but also a great gift choice for kids or DIY hobbyists.
- COMPLETE FABRIC PAINT SET– EVERYTHING INCLUDED: This all-inclusive fabric paint set comes with 16 classic colors & 2 metallic shades, 6 high-quality brushes, 18 mixing palette, and 18 stencil templates—perfect for textile art, DIY crafts, and custom clothing designs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this colorful fabric paint set provides all the tools needed to create vibrant, professional-looking designs on T-shirts, tote bags, canvas shoes, and more
- PREMIUM FABRIC PAINT – SMOOTH & VIBRANT COLORS: Our high-pigment fabric paint glides on smoothly with excellent coverage, adhering perfectly to cotton, denim, polyester, and other fabrics. The rich, blendable formula allows for seamless color mixing, while the fast-drying nature prevents smudging. Create bold, long-lasting designs without cracking or peeling—ideal for custom apparel, home decor, and personalized gifts
- WASHABLE & WATERPROOF: Once dried and heat-set (using an iron or dryer), these fabric paints become permanently waterproof and machine-washable, even in warm water. No fading, flaking, or bleeding—your designs stay vibrant wash after wash. Plus, accidental skin stains wipe off easily with soap and water, making cleanup worry-free for kids and adults alike
- CREATIVE GIFT FOR KIDS & ADULTS: A fantastic fabric paint set that makes the perfect arts and crafts gift for birthdays, holidays, or creative play! This art fabric paint collection works beyond just fabric - unleash your creativity on wood, paper, canvas, and more surfaces. The colorful fabric paint set includes stencils to help beginners create polished designs, while advanced artists can freehand their masterpieces. Ideal for family bonding, school projects, or DIY fashion upcycling
- Non-Toxic & Child-Safe: This colorful fabric paint set meets ASTM D4236 & EN-71 safety standards, guaranteeing these art fabric paints are 100% non-toxic, acid-free, and completely child-safe. The fabric paint formula contains no harsh chemicals or strong odors. Parents can rest easy knowing this fabric paint set offers a mess-friendly yet completely safe art experience for young artists.
- Dual-Tip: These fabric markers offer both a 1mm fine tip for precise details and a flexible brush tip for creating broader strokes, shading, and filling in larger areas. These fabric markers permanent for clothes are perfect for all types of fabric artwork, from fine lines to expressive strokes.
- Vibrant, Long-Lasting Colors: The paint for clothes in these fabric pens delivers bold and vivid colors that remain vibrant over time. These permanent fabric markers are designed to resist fading and withstand repeated washing, keeping your creations looking fresh.
- Quick-Drying & Non-Bleeding Ink: The fabric paint for clothes permanent in each fabric marker dries quickly on fabric, ensuring you’ll get crisp lines without smudging or bleeding. Now you can create with confidence with our fabric markers permanent, knowing your work won’t run!
- Permanent: Once applied and heat-set with an iron, the clothing paint becomes permanent, ensuring your designs stay intact wash after wash. Each fabric pen is perfect on cotton, denim, polyester, and more.
- Easy-to-Use: These fabric pens for clothes permanent are easy to use and are even perfect as fabric markers for kids! Simply apply your design to clean, dry fabric. After the clothes paint is fully dry, set the design by ironing it on medium heat (without steam) for 3-5 minutes to ensure long-lasting results.
- VIBRANT COLORS: Perfect for textile projects, arts & crafts or for rejuvenating your clothes.
- LONG-LASTING: Our high-quality formula ensures colors stay vibrant wash after wash, maintaining the integrity of your textiles and accessories.
- PERMANENT & WASHER SAFE: Easy to blend and cover, stay permanent and won’t crack or peel, durable enough to hold up extensive wear and repeated washes in the washing machine and dryer. Bluebird fabric paints are ready to use, do not need extra textile medium or heating.
- MULTIPLE PURPOSES: Premium textile paint with bright colors performs well on both light and deep color fabrics, applicable for both synthetic and natural fibers, ideal for T-shirts, jeans, bags, shoes, caps, pillowcases and other DIY projects and crafting.
- ECO-FRIENDLY FORMULA & NON-TOXIC: Crafted with an eco-conscious mindset, our fabric dye is gentle on both your fabrics and the environment. Non-toxic, safe and suitable for all ages.
- 【All-in-One Fabric Paint Set】: Get creative with 24 bold fabric paint in a permanent set of fabric paints designed specifically for clothing(60 ml/2 oz). The set also includes 10 professional brushes, 18 reusable stencils and a color palette, perfect for DIY projects, crafts and customized gifts.
- 【PERMANENT Fabric paint】: High quality soft fabric paint are easy to cover , stay permanent, machine washable, gently washable, not easy to lose color, crack or peel. This textile paint is ideal for clothing, shoes, bags and textiles that are frequently used and wash strips, ensuring a long-lasting effect on all your favorite fabrics.
- 【Waterproof and fade-proof】: Fabric paints is waterproof, dry your design within 6-8 hours, but remember to wait until fully cured before washing to prevent smudging halos and to ensure that your artistic expression lasts for years to come.
- 【Eco-friendly and versatile】: Using fabric dyeing can bring old clothes to life or personalize items from a yard sale. Fabric paint can be used not only on different types of fabrics such as t-shirts, jeans, and pillowcases, but also on other textured surfaces such as paper, wood, and walls - our pigments are washable, flexible, and crack-resistant, inspiring endless creativity while promoting sustainability!
- 【NON-TOXIC, NON-ACIDIC, SAFE】:Fabric paints, non-toxic, odorless and safe for all ages. Easily cleaned with soap and water, with our high quality permanent soft fabric paints, you can effortlessly mix colors or boldly layer colors and enjoy a streak-free application.
- VIVID COLORS. Nicpro 8 Colors Permanent Fabric Paint is in vibrant and intense color, allowing artists and creators to add bold and eye-catching designs to their fabric projects. These paints often come in a wide range of shades, from rich primaries to intricate blends, providing ample options for artistic expression. With a color wheel to help organize colors, making selection and combination easier
- DURABILITY. Fabric paints are designed to adhere firmly to fabric fibers, ensuring long-lasting results. This durability is essential for items that undergo frequent use and laundering, such as clothing, bags, and accessories. With proper application and care, fabric paint can withstand multiple wash cycles without fading or peeling, maintaining its vivid color and water-proof qualities over time. Not requiring heat setting
- VERSATILITY. Fabric paints offer versatility in application, allowing artists to explore various techniques and surfaces beyond traditional painting on canvas. Whether used for freehand designs, stenciling, block printing, or fabric dyeing, these paints provide flexibility to create intricate patterns and textures on different types of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, denim, and more
- WATERPOOF AND FADE RESISTANT. One of the key features of fabric paint is its water-proof properties. Usually drying after painting 6-8 hours, fabric paint forms a protective layer on the fabric surface, making it resistant to water damage. This attribute ensures that the colors remain vivid and the designs stay intact even after exposure to moisture, whether through washing or environmental conditions
- UNIQUE STYLE. Fabric paint enables individuals to personalize their clothing and textile items with unique designs, logos, or messages. From customizing t-shirts and tote bags to embellishing home decor items like pillows and curtains, fabric paint offers a creative outlet for expressing individual style and preferences
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Picking the Best Fabric Paint
Decorating fabric is fun! You can make old shirts new or create unique gifts. Buying the right fabric paint makes your project successful. This guide helps you choose wisely.
Key Features to Look For
Good fabric paint has several important features. Check these before you buy:
1. Finish Type
- Matte: This finish looks flat, like regular dyed fabric. It’s very subtle.
- Glossy/Satin: This finish reflects light. It makes colors pop and look shiny.
- Glitter/Metallic: These add sparkle or a metallic shine. They are great for special effects.
2. Flexibility and Softness
The paint must move with the fabric. Hard, cracking paint ruins clothing. Look for paints labeled “flexible” or “soft-hand.” This means the paint stays soft even after drying and washing.
3. Durability and Washability
Will your design last? High-quality paint sets permanently. Check if the instructions require heat-setting (using an iron or dryer). If paint washes out after one cycle, it is low quality.
Important Materials in Fabric Paint
Fabric paint isn’t like wall paint. It uses different ingredients to stick to cloth.
1. Binders (The Glue)
Binders are the most important part. They hold the pigment (color) onto the fibers. Acrylic binders are common. They dry clear and flexible. Better binders mean better sticking power.
2. Pigments (The Color)
Good pigments resist fading. Sunlight and washing should not quickly destroy the color. Look for paints with high pigment load for bright, true colors.
3. Mediums
Some paints come as a thick base (the medium). You mix in craft paint to create fabric paint. This offers flexibility but requires careful mixing.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one bottle better than another?
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Heat Setting Requirement: Paints that require ironing usually bond stronger to the fabric.
- Specific Fabric Use: Paints made specifically for denim or silk often perform better on those materials.
- Good Reviews: Real users report how well the paint handles washing.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Watery Consistency: If the paint runs easily, it bleeds through thin fabric. This reduces detail.
- No Heat Setting Needed (Sometimes): While convenient, paints that simply “air dry permanent” sometimes lack long-term durability.
- Old or Dried Out Stock: Always check the expiration date if possible. Old paint separates and applies poorly.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the paint changes what you need to buy.
For Beginners and Simple Stencils:
Beginners need thicker paint. Thick paint stays where you put it. It works best with stencils or block printing. Look for easy-to-use squeeze bottles.
For Detailed Artwork (Freehand):
Artists drawing by hand need fine-tipped bottles or brushes. The paint must flow smoothly from the brush without clumping. Good flow prevents frustrating skips in your lines.
For Large Projects (T-Shirts, Bags):
When painting large areas, you need a lot of paint. Buying in bulk or in larger jars is cost-effective. Ensure the paint remains soft after drying; stiff paint makes a large shirt uncomfortable to wear.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Fabric Paint
Q: Do I need to wash the fabric before painting?
A: Yes. Always wash and dry the fabric first. This removes sizing (chemicals used in manufacturing). Sizing prevents the paint from sticking well.
Q: How long does fabric paint take to dry?
A: Drying time varies. Most paints need 24 hours to feel dry to the touch. Always check the bottle for the exact curing time before heat-setting.
Q: Can I use regular acrylic craft paint on fabric?
A: You can, but you must mix it with a fabric medium first. Regular acrylic paint dries stiff and cracks easily on fabric without the medium.
Q: How do I set fabric paint with an iron?
A: After the paint is completely dry, place a thin cloth (like a tea towel) over the design. Iron the area (usually on medium-high heat) for 30 seconds to a few minutes, moving the iron constantly.
Q: Is fabric paint safe for baby clothes?
A: Use paints specifically labeled as non-toxic. Look for brands that are safe for children’s items. Always heat-set thoroughly.
Q: What is the best way to clean a painted item?
A: Turn the item inside out before washing. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Air drying is always best for maximum longevity.
Q: Can I paint on dark fabrics?
A: Yes, but you need opaque paint. Look for paints labeled “high-pigment” or “for dark fabrics.” Lighter paints often look weak or transparent on black or navy cloth.
Q: What happens if the paint bleeds under my stencil?
A: This usually means the paint was too thin or the stencil lifted slightly. Next time, use a thin layer of temporary adhesive spray on the stencil back to hold it firmly.
Q: Can I paint over existing designs or stains?
A: You can paint over existing designs if you use a very opaque, thick paint. Stains might show through unless you use a primer base coat first.
Q: Do I need to seal fabric paint after it dries?
A: Generally, no. If the paint manufacturer says it needs heat-setting, that process acts as the sealant. Extra spray sealants are usually unnecessary and might change the feel of the fabric.